The American Bureau of Shipping (hereinafter “ABS”) is recognized as the leading classification society globally, dedicated to advancing safety, environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance within the maritime industry. Since its establishment in 1862, ABS has been at the forefront of marine safety, providing comprehensive classification services to shipbuilders, owners and operators.
With a network of over 2,000 highly skilled technical professionals strategically positioned worldwide, ABS
We will respond to the needs of our members, clients and the public by delivering quality products and services in support of our mission that provides for the safety of life and property and the protection of the natural environment.
With the input and the participation of our workers, we are committed to continually improving the effectiveness of our HSQE performance and management system by identifying risks and opportunities that help to eliminate hazards and
leverages its extensive expertise, deep industry knowledge and sound professional judgement to support vessel owners and operators in achieving operational excellence.
ABS has built a reputation for its unwavering commitment to quality, establishing rigorous standards of excellence and delivering superior technical and survey services. By assisting clients in meeting these standards, ABS fosters safe, efficient and sustainable maritime operations.
The mission of ABS is to serve the public interest as well as the needs of our members and clients by promoting the security of life and property, and preserving the natural environment.
reduce risks and by providing safe and healthy working conditions for the prevention of work-related injury, ill health and pollution.
We will comply with all applicable legal requirements as well as any additional requirements ABS subscribes to which relate to ABS and our HSQE aspects, objectives and targets.
FOREWORD
This ABS Annual Report on Port State Control (PSC) provides vessel owners with insights into deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections conducted by various PSC regimes worldwide during the 2024 calendar year. This report aims to enhance awareness of potential areas of concern and support owners in addressing issues that may impact compliance and operational performance.
PSC inspections serve as a critical mechanism for identifying and eliminating substandard vessels that pose risks to maritime safety and the marine environment.
A vessel is deemed substandard if its hull, machinery, equipment, accommodation, operational safety or environmental protection measures fall significantly below the standards prescribed by relevant conventions, or if the crew fails to meet the requirements outlined in the safe manning document. Clear evidence of non-compliance with convention requirements, or indications that the master or crew lack familiarity with essential shipboard procedures related to safety and pollution prevention, may prompt PSC inspectors to conduct a more detailed inspection.
1 ABS FLEET 2024 DETENTION FACTS
1�1 Top Categories for Grounds for Detention
Between the period of January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, the top categories for Port State Control (PSC) detentions on ABS vessels in the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tokyo MoU and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) database are listed in the table below.
For the Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and USCG, there were total of 1,936 vessels detained. Of those detained vessels, 151 vessels were classed by ABS or ABS was the Recognized Organization (RO) (collectively “ABS vessels”) and issued statutory certification.
The ABS issued statutory certification(s) implicated in the detentions includes: International Safety Management
certification for companies’ Document of Compliance (DOC – ISM) and vessels’ Safety Management Certificate (ISM – SMC); International Ship and Port Facility Security certification for vessels’ International Ship Security Certificate; and Maritime Labour Convention certification for vessels’ Maritime Labour Certificate (MLC). It is important to note that ABS assisted the owner/operator to address the deficiencies so that the PSC detention could be lifted and the vessel could sail.
The table below lists the top categories for detentions on ABS vessels. The higher number of detentions related to ISM may be attributed to Safety Management Systems (SMS) not being effectively implemented on board vessels.
Note: List contains detentions that were identified on six vessels or more. Detentions listed in order of highest to lowest number of instances per detention code.
Air conditioning and heating system enclosure wasted
Dislodged chocks for pilot ladder treads
Insect infestation in galley store
Bunker procedure not legible
Unsanitary dry food storage with expired food
Sounding pipe closing cap thread damaged
Water mist flexi fog system nozzle clogged
Quick closing valves for lubricating oil system and marine gas oil system blocked permanently in open position. Steam line insulation is not maintained.
Twist lock foundation at container housing cracked
Hatch cover support pads with excessive wear, over compressed weathertight gasket and panels resting on coaming
Lifeboat drain valve unable to close automatically due to stuck float ball clogged with garbage/deteriorated
Safe operating load markings missing for slings
1�3 Top Countries Where ABS Vessels Were Detained
Note: Chart contains detentions that were identified on at least two or more vessels.
People’s Republic
ABS FLEET 2024
DEFICIENCIES FACTS 2
2�1 Top Categories for Deficiencies on ABS Vessels
13101
Propulsion main engine 13199 Other (machinery) 13102
Auxiliary engine
07105 Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions 07199 Other (fire safety) 11101 Lifeboats 15150 ISM
02108 Electric equipment in general
07109 Fixed fire extinguishing installation 13108 Operation of machinery
07110 Fire fighting equipment and appliances 07106 Fire detection 04103
Emergency lighting, batteries and switches 15109
Maintenance of the ship and equipment 02105 Steering gear
03108
Ventilators, air pipes, casings 07115 Fire-dampers
10109 Lights, shapes, sound signals
02106 Hull damage impairing seaworthiness
07113
04114
Fire pumps and its pipes
Emergency source of power — Emergency generator 07114 Means of control (openings, pumps) Machinery spaces 11104 Rescue boats 07120
Means of escape 11117
Lifebuoys including provision and disposition
(certificates)
Note: List contains deficiencies that were identified on at least 25 or more vessels. Deficiencies are listed in order of highest to lowest number of instances per detention code.
2�2 Top Countries for Interventions on ABS Vessels
Note: Chart contains deficiencies that were identified on at least three or more vessels.
ANNUAL REPORTS 2024
3�1 Paris MoU Inspections
In 2024, 16,508 inspections were carried out, a slightly lesser number compared to 2023 (16,769 inspections). Out of 16,508 inspections in 2024, there were 9,677 inspections where ships were found with deficiencies.
Compared to 2023, the number of detentions increased in 2024 from 639 (3.81 percent) to 665 (4.03 percent). Detentions in 2022 and 2021 were recorded as 736 (4.25 percent) and 538 (3.49 percent) respectively.
ABS meets the RO criteria for a low-risk ship for Paris MoU inspection. In the calendar year 2024, there were no ABS vessels that were banned from the Paris MoU region.
Source: Paris MoU
3�1�1 Paris MoU Top 5 Deficiencies
Based on the Paris MoU PSC Annual Report 2024, the top five deficiencies for all vessels inspected were:
Source: Paris MoU PSC 2024 Annual Report
Based on the Paris MoU PSC 2024 Annual Report, the major categories of deficiencies for all vessels inspected were:
Source: Paris MoU PSC 2024 Annual Report
3�1�3 Paris MoU Inspections Data Per Ship Type
Based on the Paris MoU PSC Annual Report 2024, the number of inspections per ship type for all vessels was as follows: general cargo/multipurpose ships had the
highest number of inspections, followed by bulk carriers, containerships, oil tankers and chemical tankers.
Source: Paris MoU PSC 2024 Annual Report
3�1�4 Paris MoU Performance of Recognized Organizations
Performance of ROs is measured over a three-year rolling period. ABS, as an RO, was held responsible for two detentions from 2022 to 2024. For the calendar year 2024, ABS ranked number one in the Paris MoU.
Based on the Paris MoU PSC Annual Report 2024, the performance of various ROs was as follows:
Note: In this table only ROs that had 60 or
Source: Paris MoU PSC 2024 Annual Report
3�2 Tokyo MoU Inspections
In 2024, 32,054 inspections, involving 18,655 individual ships, were carried out on ships registered under 107 flags. Out of the 32,054 inspections, 19,967 ships were found with deficiencies.
One thousand, one hundred and eighty-nine ships registered under 67 flags were detained due to serious deficiencies. The detention rate of ships inspected was 3.71 percent. The detention rate for ABS vessels was only 2.53 percent.
In the calendar year 2024, the China Maritime Authority (China MSA) and the Japan Coast Guard Authority were the two most active port State inspection authorities
Number of Inspections
that carried out the most individual ship inspections. This trend is similar to 2023. China MSA and Japan Coast Guard Authority carried out 6,179 and 2,999 inspections, respectively. Compared to 2023, the number of inspections for China MSA has slightly decreased from 6,260 to 6,179, and Japan Coast Guard Authority inspection has increased from 2,772 to 2,999 in 2024.
As reported by MoU, there were no under-performing ABS vessels that have been detained three or more times by the Tokyo MoU in 2024.
Source: Tokyo MoU
3�2�1 Tokyo MoU Top 10 Detainable Deficiencies
Based on the 2024 Tokyo MoU Annual Report on PSC in the Asia-Pacific Region, the top 10 detainable deficiencies for all vessels were as follows:
Fire Prevention Structural Integrity (Fire Safety)
Fire Pumps and its Pipes (Fire Safety)
Maintenance of the Ship and Equipment (ISM)
Ventilators, Air Pipes, Casings (Water/Weathertight Condition)
Fixed Fire Extinguishing Installation (Fire Safety)
Lifeboats (Life Saving Appliances)
Source: Tokyo MoU PSC 2024 Annual Report
3�2�3 Tokyo MoU Inspection Data Per Ship Type
Based on the 2024 Tokyo MoU Annual Report on PSC in the Asia-Pacific Region, inspection data per ship type for all vessels were as follows: bulk carriers had the highest
number of inspections, followed by containerships, general cargo/multipurpose ships and oil tankers.
Source: Tokyo MoU 2024 Annual Report
3�2�4 Tokyo MoU Performance of Recognized Organizations
Performance of ROs is measured over a three-year rolling period. ABS, as the RO, was held responsible for eight detentions from 2022 to 2024. For the calendar year 2024, ABS ranked number two in the Tokyo MoU.
Recognized Organization
Based on the 2024 Tokyo MoU Annual Report on PSC in the Asia-Pacific Region, the performance of various ROs was as follows:
Note: ROs involving 60-179 inspections with zero detention are not included in this table.
Source: Tokyo MoU 2024 Annual Report
3�3 USCG Inspections
In 2024, a total of 11,273 individual vessels from 79 flag Administrations made 84,034 ports of call to the United States. USCG conducted 8,710 PSC examinations in 2024. These examination numbers have increased compared to the 2023 total of 8,278.
The total number of detained vessels in 2024 for environmental protection, safety and security-related deficiencies decreased from 101 (2023) to 82.
3�3�1 USCG Top 10 Detainable Deficiencies
In the calendar year 2024, there were no ABS vessels that were identified as being substandard (detained) and/or banned from operating in the United States in 2024.
Based on the USCG 2024 PSC Annual Report, the top 10 detainable deficiency types by percentage for all vessels were:
Fire Safety Safety Management Systems All Other
Lifesaving Appliances Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery
International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS)
Structural Conditions Working Conditions
Water/Weathertight Conditions
Source: USCG 2024 PSC Annual Report
Based on the USCG 2024 PSC Annual Report, the number of detentions per ship-type for all vessels was: 3�3�3 USCG Detentions Per Ship Type
3�3�4 USCG Performance of ROs
Performance of ROs is measured over a three-year rolling period. ABS, as the acting RO, was not held responsible for any detentions from 2022 to 2024. For the calendar year 2024, ABS ranked number one for the USCG performance of ROs.
Recognized Organizations with a detention ratio greater than 2.00% will be considered as Priority I for the approval requirements outlined in 46 CFR 2.45-15(2).
* Organizations with fewer than five total exams and no detentions may not be listed
Source: USCG 2024 PSC Annual Report
RESULT OF CONCENTRATED INSPECTION CAMPAIGN BY TOKYO MOU
The Paris and Tokyo MoU jointly completed a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) between September 1 and November 30, 2024, on crew wages and Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEASs) under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
Over the course of the CIC period, a total of 8,134 inspections were carried out by member Authorities. Of these inspections, 6,580 (80.89 percent) were performed using the CIC questionnaire. During the period, 297 ships were detained (3.65 percent detention rate). Only 20 of 297 detentions were the result of the CIC campaign deficiencies relating to crew wages and seafarer employment agreement under the MLC, 2006. The results of the CIC resulted in a detention rate of 0.3 percent (seven percent of all detentions).
4 INDUSTRY LINKS FOR PORT STATE CONTROL 5
The most common deficiencies (and deficiencies that resulted in detention) found during the campaign were associated with:
• The absence of signed Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEA) (16 percent of CIC-related deficiencies issued); and
• Seafarers were unable to access information regarding their employment conditions on board (28 percent of CIC-related deficiencies issued).
• Paris MoU: www.parismou.org
• Tokyo MoU: www.tokyo-mou.org
• United States Coast Guard: www.dco.uscg.mil
• Mediterranean MoU: www.medmou.org/home.aspx
• Black Sea MoU: www.bsmou.org
• Indian Ocean MoU: www.iomou.org
• Caribbean MoU: www.caribbeanmou.org
• Acuerdo de Viña del Mar: www.alvm.prefecturanaval.gob.ar
• Abuja MoU: www.abujamou.org
• Riyadh MoU: www.riyadhmou.org
Additional resources may be found on the ABS website at www.eagle.org
• Preparation for Port State Control
• Pre-port Arrival Quick Reference and Downloadable Check List
• Detentions
• Inspections
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 6 ABS CONTACT INFORMATION: IF YOUR SHIP IS DETAINED
• Deficiencies
• If Your Ship is Detained
• Resource Links for Port State Control
Owners and representatives are to notify ABS when a vessel is being detained by a port State authority or flag Administration. If the owner does not notify ABS of a detention, then ABS reserves the right to suspend or cancel classification of the vessel or invalidate the applicable statutory certificates. ABS can assist the owner and/or master with clearing the vessel from a port state detention.
Europe Operations
Piraeus, Greece
Tel: +30 210-9441-000 or Tel: +30 210-9441-220
Email: EuropeSurvey@eagle.org
Greater China Operations
Shanghai, China
Tel: 86-21-2327-0888
Marine Email: GCSurvey@eagle.org
Offshore Email: GCSurveyOffshore@eagle.org
PACMEA Operations
Singapore
Tel: +65 6276 8700
Marine Email: PACMEA-SurveyMarine@eagle.org
Offshore Email: PACMEA-SurveyOffshore@eagle.org
North and South America Operations
Houston, TX USA
Tel: +1 (281) 877-6000
Marine and Offshore Email: AmericasSurvey@eagle.org
